During my two-decade service in a government department I came across a large number of employees who did not want to leave their jobs even if they had the skills to get a better position in the private sector.
Even though the salaries were low, they continued to work because they were sure of getting an old-age pension when they retired. Among them I found a small number of people who left their jobs to get a better position in the private sector. Some of them moved on to do business. Others followed various courses and became lawyers, accountants and journalists.
When the unemployment rate is increasing and graduates are clamouring for jobs, conventional wisdom tells us to play it safe and to pull in our horns. Consequently, rather than performing to our potential, we concentrate on minimizing our losses. The results can be catastrophic. Top performers in any field get to the acme of their careers by confronting obstacles they are afraid of facing. Cus D’Amato, the legendary American boxing trainer, once said, “Heroes and cowards feel exactly the same fear. Heroes just react to fear differently.”
Any young man or woman cannot succeed at once, first they have to work in a government or private organization taking orders from their seniors and drawing a poor salary. This is the time they should tap into their adventurous spirit buried in them. If they shy away from taking risks, they will have to repent later in life.
Unlike in the past, today people do not stick to one job for a long time. This is due to the lack of promotional prospects, compulsion to do routine work and the absence of challenging situations in their jobs.
Take dreams seriously
If you are still shying away from taking risks, there are ways to change your way of thinking. For instance, if you have dreams, take them seriously. A friend of mine working as a hospital clerk had a big dream. He wanted to be a judge. He took his dream seriously, and followed courses at a university and the Sri Lanka Law College. Then he took his oaths as an Attorney-at-Law. After practising at the bar for about ten years he was selected for the post of magistrate. After many years he retired as a High Court Judge.
When you try to realize your dream others will try to prevent you from reaching your target. They will advise you not to waste your time and money on any new venture.
Most senior managers in your establishment will always caution you by saying, “You have good language skills, but with your education you should set your sights on something more realistic. However, they will never explain what that ‘something’ is.
A young clerk who was following an English course in order to become a journalist was always discouraged by his senior colleagues. They told him that he could become a chief clerk without much difficulty. Angered by such discouraging comments he quit the establishment to pursue his dream.
The truth is that none of us know what other people’s limits are, especially if they have a passion that makes them persevere in the face of obstacles. Barbara Grogan, president of a construction and consulting firm, says, “The most important thing when you’re starting out is not to let the naysayers steal your dream. The world is chock-full of negative people.
They will have a thousand reasons why your dreams won’t work. What is more, they are ready to share them with you at the drop of a hat. If they persist in their negative attitude, believe in your ability and try to make your dreams come true.
Little steps
When starting something new, do not focus on the whole task in front of you. For instance, you may have to follow a certain course for three to four years and study many subjects.
If you learn the art of taking it in little steps, the whole problem can be solved. Always look at what you can do rather than what you cannot do. A lot of these little steps will eventually enable you to reach your goal.
If you are facing a new situation, do not rehearse your own defeat by spending too much time anticipating the worst. Once I met a young lawyer who was about to begin her career. I asked her what impression she wanted to make on the judge.
She said she did not want to look too inexperienced, too young or too naïve. She did not want the judge to suspect that it was her first appearance. Eventually, she became a much sought after lawyer.
Research shows that an image in the mind fires the nervous system the same way as actually doing something. What kind of image can you make? If you are attending an interview, face the interviewer confidently, maintaining eye contact and using convincing body language. Project your voice without mumbling.
Mavericks
Avoid traditional ways of thinking. Most successful people are mavericks whose minds roam outside traditional ways of thinking. Instead of trying to refine old formulas, try to invent new ones.
All humans make mistakes. If you are an ambitious person, you can learn from your mistakes. Despite careful preparations, you are bound to make mistakes. I have never met anyone who had never made a mistake in their lives.
I myself have made many blunders when I started off as a writer. As Walter Wriston, former chairman of Citicorp, said, “Failure is not a crime. Failure to learn from failure is.”
In most establishments you are punished if you make a mistake. However, big companies do not follow that rule. When Jim Burke became the head of a new product division at Johnson & Johnson, one of his first projects was the development of a children’s chest rub. The product failed miserably. Instead of sacking him, the chairman wanted to see him. Burke had a surprising reception.
Robert Wood Johnson, the chairman of the company, simply asked him, “Are you the one who just cost us all that money?” Without expecting a reply, he said, “Well, I just want to congratulate you. If you are making mistakes, that means you are taking risks, and we won’t grow unless you take risks.” Some years later, Burke himself became the chairman of the company.
Dress rehearsal
Life is not a dress rehearsal, whatever philosophers have to say. We have got only one shot at this game called ‘Life.’ Let’s make the best of it now and utilize the present to the fullest. Plan for the future and adopt a positive attitude to life.
Instead of running away from risk, embrace it. In the process you will transform your life into an exciting adventure that will constantly challenge, reward and rejuvenate you.